The Histopathological Picture of The Pancreas in Hyperglycemic Obese White Rats After Giving Virgin Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Abstract

The pancreas is a glandular organ that has a crucial role in the body's digestive and metabolic systems. This study investigated the histopathological effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the pancreas of hyperglycemic obese white rats. This study used a post-test only with control group design, involved 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: negative control without treatment, negative control with alloxan induction, VCO treatment, and EVOO treatment. The rats were subjected to a high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet, followed by alloxan induction to induce hyperglycemia. VCO and EVOO were administered orally for 14 days. Histopathological analysis revealed that the negative control group 1 exhibited intact pancreatic tissue, while negative control group 2 showed significant damage. VCO administration resulted in improved pancreatic structure, but EVOO demonstrated superior efficacy, significantly enhancing the area, diameter, and density of the islets of Langerhans and the number of endocrine cells. As conclusion, statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among the groups, particularly highlighting EVOO effectiveness over VCO. The findings suggest that both oils have protective effects on pancreatic health, with EVOO being more effective in promoting beta cell regeneration.

Keywords: virgin coconut oil; extra virgin olive oil; pancreatic histopathology; hyperglycemia; obesity